Maori mothers and pre-school education

About this book

"This enquiry explores one of the most inspiring educational developments in recent years -- the spread of pre-school education amongst the Maori population. It examines the effects of community setting on the characteristics of voluntary groups, and illustrates the vitality of the Maori way of life and the necessity to take Maori cultural patterns into account when seeking explanations of what is observed. By treating pre-school groups not in isolation but as part of society, this study adds to what we know about race relations in New Zealand, and contributes to an understanding of the experiences and feelings of Maori women. Numerous and well-chosen quotes from the mothers serve to illuminate such pre-school matters as enrolment, and recruitment, leadership, within pre-school groups, parent education, the degree of contact that husbands have with pre-school groups, and what the mothers see as the effect of pre-school education on themselves and their children. This is a research monograph in the best sense -- systematic, analytical and theoretically interesting. Those interested in Maori life as well as those concerned with pre-school education should find it not only useful but also inspiring." -- Inside front cover.